An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Volume 1 eBook

The Account of the English Colony of New South
Wales must here be closed for a time, the writer
being embarked in the Britannia on his return
to England. On reviewing the pages he has written,
the question involuntarily arises in his mind, In
what other colony under the British government has
a narrator of its annals had such circumstances to
record? No other colony was ever established
under such circumstances. He has, it is true,
occasionally had the gratification of recording the
return of principle in some, whose want of that ingredient,
so necessary to society, had sent them thither; but
it has oftener been his task to show the predilection
for immorality, perseverance in dissipation, and inveterate
propensity to vice, which prevailed in many others.
The difficulty under such disadvantages of establishing
the blessings of a regular and civil government must
have occurred to every well-informed mind that has
reflected on our situation. The duties of a governor,
of a judge-advocate, and of other magistrates and
civil officers, could not be compared with those in
other countries. From the disposition to crimes
and the incorrigible characters of the major part of
the colonists, an odium was, from the first, illiberally
thrown upon the settlement; and the word ‘Botany
Bay’ became a term of reproach that was indiscriminately
cast on every one who resided in New South Wales.
But let the reproach light on those who have used
it as such. These pages were written to demonstrate,
that the bread of government has not been eaten in
idleness by its different officers; and that if the
honour of having deserved well of one’s country
be attainable by sacrificing good name, domestic comforts,
and dearest connections in her service, the officers
of this settlement have justly merited that distinction.

CONCLUSION:

COMPRISING

Particulars of the BRITANNIA’S VOYAGE
to ENGLAND; with Remarks on the STATE of NORFOLK ISLAND,
and some Account of NEW ZEALAND.

The Britannia sailed from Port Jackson, in
company with his Majesty’s ship Reliance
and the Francis colonial schooner, on the 29th
of September.

On the 4th of October, we had Ball Pyramid off Lord
Howe’s Island distant about five leagues, and
were from that day until the 15th, owing to light
and contrary winds, before we reached Norfolk Island;
where we found his Majesty’s ship Supply,
which had been there several days. On the following
morning we had communication with the shore.

The interval between the 16th and 23rd was occupied
in receiving on board the Britannia Lieutenant-governor
King and his family, who were returning to England.
On the 25th the colonial schooner, which had attended
for that purpose, received Captain King’s letters
to Governor Hunter, and the three ships made sail
from the island.

During the time we were there, the weather fortunately
proved extremely favourable for communicating with
the shore, and large quantities of stock and grain
were received on board, in addition to what we brought
from Port Jackson, and sufficient for a much longer
passage than we had any reason to expect in the run
to the Cape of Good Hope.